The Drug-Induced Respiratory Disease Website and App

Ergots, ergot alkaloids, ergolines

Collectively, ergots can occasion serosal thickening and effusions. Ergots can also cause valvular heart disease (VHD) requiring insertion of valve prosthesis (see under XIIb). Cases of retroperitoneal fibrosis have also been reported (The latter complication is not covered in Pneumotox. See at PMID 8588730 & 9886458). The anorexigens benfluorex, fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine can produce a similar pattern of VHD. The latter drugs have been recalled. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase both the incidence and the speed of progression of ergot-induced pleural pathology (PMID: 9493644)

Frequency - Incidence

Incidence of respiratory adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as assessed by number of reported/published cases in the literature. Red digits in stars indicate: 0 = Very rare, questionable signal · 1 = < 10 cases · 2 = 10-50 cases · 3 = 50–100 cases · 4 = 100-200 cases · 5 = >200 cases

Evidence level/grade

Evidence level for respiratory adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as estimated using Hill’s (1965), Naranjo’s (1981), and Bégaud’s (1985) criteria applied to published cases. Blue digits in stars indicate: 0 = Questionable · 1 = Low · 2 = Moderate · 3 = Robust · 4 = Definite · 5 = Unquestionable, pathognomonic